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LOT 0180
Byzantine Silver Ring with Epigraphy
6TH CENTURY A.D.
7/8 in. (9.71 grams, 24.51 mm overall, 18.56 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)).
The shank with herringbone markings in imitation of braiding, trefoil shoulders, drum-shaped bezel with incised cruciform texts 'P+B' and 'ω+KX'.
ProvenanceGerman art market.
Acquired by the present owner from the above in 2003.
Cf. Ruseva-Slokoska, L., Roman Jewellery, Sofia, 1991, item 227, for type.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Seal Matrix with Inscription
Circa 6th-12th century A.D.Estimate: £250 - 350 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £125
With inscription '+ΘKEB / OΘTO / ΔΟΛΟ / ΤΘΛΑ' for 'ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕ ΒΟΗΘΕΛ ΤΩ ΔΟΥΛΩ ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΛΑΔΕ' (Mother of God, help Lades, the servant of God). 13.1 grams, 18 mm
From an important collection formed before 1988, London and Geneva. -
Byzantine Gold Filigree Heart-Shaped Pendant
5th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £598
Hollow with three filigree circles to the underside each with scrolled filigree fill, pierced sidewall, three openwork filigree domes to the obverse with granules and a tubular cell to the apex of the lower one. 2.92 grams, 24 mm
Ex property of a late Japanese collector, 1970s-2000s. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
9th-11th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £182
Piriform body with domed filler-hole forming the centre of a flower with radiating petals; intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 449 grams, 10.1 cm
From a specialist collection of militaria, London, UK, collected 1990s onwards. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.
Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
